WAITING FOR A LANDSLIDE
Political watchers in Buriram expect the Bhumjaithai Party to dominate the local results when the polls close on Sunday.
While national dynamics suggest a tight contest between it and Pheu Thai Party in many areas, locals are expected to again elect Bhumjaithai candidates who have served them in the previous parliament.
“The current political trend, especially in the Buriram area, seems to be leaning towards a landslide vote, as seen in the polls. The landslide vote will go towards the previous Members of Parliament or candidates that were previously elected,” said Sathaporn Wichairam, an assistant professor in public administration at Buriram Rajabhat University.
He also expects that the cannabis debate, while making headlines around Thailand, will do little to influence local people, who are more concerned about economic issues and likely to be glued-on voters for Bhumjaithai.
“The Northeastern region has a few problems, namely infrastructure, low-income earners, and agricultural production issues that cause low income. The main problem is poverty. Most of the people in the area want to have enough food to eat. This problem is more significant than others,” he said.
Still, in a region of pro-cannabis politics, there are strong dissenting voices, including Pheu Thai candidate for District 10 in Buriram, Jamras Wiangsong.
He blames Buriram itself – and the movement that has stemmed from the province – for helping cultivate the spread of cannabis around the country and says it is “misleading advertising” to say that the drug can help local people economically.